Yamaha RX-V4A vs Yamaha RX-V385

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      Overview

      Here we are comparing Yamaha RX-V4A to Yamaha RX-V385 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. The Yamaha RX-V4A has 5 channel and the Yamaha RX-V385 has 5 channel amplifiers with Yamaha RX-V4A's being more powerful.


      Yamaha RX-V4A Yamaha RX-V385

      Yamaha RX-V4A was introduced in 2020. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz and upscales up to 4K 60p 4:4:4 video signal.

      Yamaha RX-V385 was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K 60p 4:4:4 video signal.

      Highlights

      • 5.2 Channels
      • 5.1 Channel Processing
      • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • HDMI 2.1
      • HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
      • 8K Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet

      Highlights

      • 5.1 Channels
      • 5.1 Channel Processing
      • 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
      • Bluetooth

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these receivers, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-V385.

      PROS

      Yamaha RX-V4A

      Yamaha RX-V385

      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   HDR10+
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   HDMI Version
      •   eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through
      •   VRR
      •   QFT
      •   8K Passthrough
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Works with Amazon Alexa
      •   Google Assistant
      •   4 8K Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Bluetooth
      •   USB Input
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Analog Tuner

      CONS

      Yamaha RX-V4A

      Yamaha RX-V385

      •   Few Channels - 5.2
      •   Low Power Output - 80 W
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   5.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   4 HDMI Inputs
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   Few RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Composite Video Inputs
      •   No Zones
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   Few Channels - 5.1
      •   Low Power Output - 70 W
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   5.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   No Wi-Fi
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   4 HDMI Inputs
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   Few RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Ethernet
      •   No Zones
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Pandora
      •   No Spotify
      •   No Tidal
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Yamaha RX-V4A

      Yamaha RX-V385

      •   Bluetooth 4․2

      Advantage of Yamaha RX-V4A

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha RX-V4A over Yamaha RX-V385.

      Yamaha RX-V4A vs Yamaha RX-V385
      More Channels 5.2 vs 5.1
      Higher Power Output 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) vs 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD vs MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, WAV
      Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB up to 192 kHz/32 Bit vs
      Gapless Playback vs
      DSD via USB 2-ch Input vs
      CINEMA DSP vs
      Virtual Speakers vs
      YPAO Volume vs
      HDR10+ vs
      QMS vs
      Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through vs
      VRR vs
      QFT vs
      Video Signal Passthrough up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4 vs up to 4K/60p 4:4:4
      Wi-Fi vs
      Works with Amazon Alexa vs
      MusicCast vs
      AirPlay AirPlay 2 vs
      Remote Controll App (iPhone® / iPad® / Android™ phone / tablet) vs
      More 8K Inputs 4 vs
      Ethernet vs
      Internet Radio vs
      Pandora vs
      Spotify vs
      Tidal vs
      Deezer vs
      Napster vs
      SiriusXM vs
      Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 80 W (0.06% THD) vs 70 W (0.09% THD)
      Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC) 95 W (0.9% THD) vs 85 W (0.9% THD)
      Higher Rated Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven) 115 W (0.9% THD) vs 100 W (0.9% THD)
      Higher Maximum Effective Output Power (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven, JEITA) 140 W (10% THD) vs 130 W (10% THD)
      Higher Maximum Input Sensitivity (Line) 2.4 V (1 kHz, 0.5% THD) vs 2.3 V (1 kHz, 0.5% THD)
      Newer Bluetooth Version 4․2 vs 2․1 + EDR
      Higher FM S/N Ratio Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/68 dB vs Mono/Stereo: 65 dB/64 dB

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Yamaha RX-V4A.

      Advantage of Yamaha RX-V385

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha RX-V385 over Yamaha RX-V4A.

      Yamaha RX-V4A vs Yamaha RX-V385
      More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs 1 vs 2
      More Composite Video Inputs vs 3
      More Composite Video Outputs vs 1
      Front A/V Inputs USB vs USB, mini-jack Audio

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Yamaha RX-V385.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Yamaha RX-V4A Yamaha RX-V385
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. YPAO sound optimization YPAO sound optimization
        HDR10
        Dolby Vision
        eARC via firmware update
        New HDCP Version2.32.3
        Bluetooth SBC, AAC SBC, in and out
        USB InputUSB memory, Portable Audio PlayerUSB memory, Portable Audio Player
        Analog Tuner FM/AM FM/AM
      WEAKNESSES Yamaha RX-V4A Yamaha RX-V385
        Few Channels5.25.1
        Low Power Output80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
        No Front Wide Channel Support
        Channel Processing5.15.1
        No Dolby Atmos
        No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        No DTS:X
        No IMAX Enhanced
        No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        Few HDMI Inputs44
        Few HDMI Outputs11
        Few RCA Line Inputs33 (1 Front)
        No Phono Input
        No RCA Pre-Outs0.20.1
        No Zones11
        No Digital Radio

      Audio Section

      Amplifier

      Yamaha RX-V4A Yamaha RX-V385

      5 channel Amplifier: Yamaha RX-V4A features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      5 channel Amplifier: Yamaha RX-V385 features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

        Speaker Configurations

        Yamaha RX-V4A's and Yamaha RX-V385's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

        • Configurations: Available configurations are:
        • Yamaha RX-V4A: 5.2 with internal amplifier.
        • Yamaha RX-V385: 5.1 with internal amplifier.
        • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Both models are able to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.

        • Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)

          Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-V385 support Audio Return Channel (ARC) which allows the compatible TV to send audio signal to the a/v receiver through the same HDMI cable which is used to send audio and video signals to the TV. So one HDMI cable is used to transfer audio signal in both directions. New Enhanced ARC will support uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio whereas the previous ARC could support only Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS HD, and PCM.


          Sound Processing

          • Adaptive DRC: Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-V385 feature Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) which automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume level. This ensures that you hear clear dialog and vocals, and all sound effects at comfortable levels. There is no need to adjust the volume level as you listen; everything from whispers to big explosions will be heard clearly and comfortably at the same volume setting. It also tones down loud TV commercials, and is ideal for low-volume, late-night listening, when you do not want to disturb others.
          • Compressed Music Enhancer: Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-V385 feature Compressed Music Enhancer which enhances the quality of the music files with lossy compression.

          Room Calibration

          Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-V385 come with YPAO room correction system.

          • YPAO: The Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) function detects speaker connections, measures the distances from them to your listening position(s), and then automatically optimizes the speaker settings, such as volume balance and acoustic parameters, to suit your room.

        Video Section

        HDMI

        Yamaha RX-V4A comes with 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs with 8K support. It has 1 output.

        Yamaha RX-V385 comes with 4 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

        • 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz Passthrough on Yamaha RX-V4A: All inputs pass up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4 video signal.
          4K/60Hz Passthrough on Yamaha RX-V385: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p 4:4:4 video signal.
        • 4K Upscaling: Both receivers can upscale up to 4K 60p 4:4:4 from HDMI sources.
        • BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35% (available on both models).
        • HDCP 2.3.0 Copy Protection: Both receivers are HDCP 2.3.0 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
        • Quick Media Switching (QMS): With HDMI 2.1a, Quick Media Switching for movies and video uses the HDMI VRR mechanism to eliminate the blackout period when an HDMI Source device switches its video mode. As long as the resolution remains the same and only the frame rate changes, QMS will instantly switch between frame rates. QMS eliminates A/V blackouts by using VRR technology to change frame rates, allowing instant changes from 24Hz to 60Hz frame rate, and anywhere in-between. The viewer never sees blank screens and gets a seamless experience (available on Yamaha RX-V4A only).
        • 3D Ready: Both receivers are able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

        HDR (High Dynamic Range)

        Yamaha RX-V4A supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma.

        Yamaha RX-V385 supports HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma.

        High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

        • HDR10: HDR10 uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
        • HDR10+: HDR10+ is an HDR video technology that adds dynamic metadata to HDR10 source files. The dynamic metadata are used to adjust brightness levels on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis. HDR10+ supports maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness and 10-bit or more (up to 16-bit) color bit depth. It uses Samsung's dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-40.
        • Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.
        • Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG): The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is a transfer function developed mainly for HDR live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It is an HDR format that uses BT.2020 color primaries and a bitdepth of 10-bit. It is backward compatible with the transfer function of SDR and is designed to be better-suited for television broadcasting, where the metadata required for other HDR formats is not backward compatible with non-HDR displays. HLG defines a non-linear optical-electro transfer function, in which the lower half of the signal values use a gamma curve and the upper half of the signal values use a logarithmic curve.

        Gaming Features

        Yamaha RX-V4A supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) for lag-free and smooth gaming.

        • Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Auto Low Latency Mode enables the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity. When the receiver detects a gaming signal it will enter ALLM. The signal will also be sent to the TV causing it to automatically switch to a low-latency, low-lag mode for gaming. Some functions will not be available on the receiver and TV during ALLM.
        • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): VRR enables a gaming source such as a console or computer to deliver video frames as fast as it can, which in many cases is slower than the normal static refresh rate. It allows the TV to adapt to certain frame rate which reduces or eliminates lag, judder and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay.
        • Quick Frame Transport (QFT): QFT reduces latency for smoother no-lag gaming, and real-time interactive virtual reality. It transports each frame at a higher rate to decrease display latency, which is the amount of time between a frame being ready for transport in the GPU and that frame being completely displayed.

        Inputs and Outputs

        Audio

        • Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs.
        • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available on Yamaha RX-V4A and 1 optical input and 2 coaxial inputs are available on Yamaha RX-V385 for digital audio connections.
        • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

        Video

        • HDMI:
        • Yamaha RX-V4A
          Inputs:
          4   Outputs: 1
          8K Inputs: 4.
        • Yamaha RX-V385
          Inputs:
          4   Outputs: 1
          8K Inputs: 0.
        • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
        • Yamaha RX-V4A
          Inputs:
          0   Outputs: 0.
        • Yamaha RX-V385
          Inputs:
          3   Outputs: 1.

        Front A/V Inputs

        • Yamaha RX-V4A: USB
        • Yamaha RX-V385: USB, mini-jack Audio

        Yamaha RX-V4A

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        Yamaha RX-V385

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        Evaluations

        We evaluate Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-V385 and give them scores of 80 and 74 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


        Yamaha RX-V4A

        Yamaha RX-V385

        OVERALL
        80
        OVERALL
        74

        Amplifier

        Yamaha RX-V4A

        Yamaha RX-V385

        GOOD
        78
        •   Few Channels - 5.2
        •   Low Power Output - 80 W
        GOOD
        78
        •   Few Channels - 5.1
        •   Low Power Output - 70 W

        Audio Features

        Yamaha RX-V4A

        Yamaha RX-V385

        AVERAGE
        69
        •   Few Channels - 5.2
        •   No Front Wide Channel Support
        •   5.1 Channel Processing
        •   No Dolby Atmos
        •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        •   No DTS:X
        •   No IMAX Enhanced
        •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        •   DSD via HDMI
        AVERAGE
        63
        •   Few Channels - 5.1
        •   No Front Wide Channel Support
        •   5.1 Channel Processing
        •   No Dolby Atmos
        •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        •   No DTS:X
        •   No IMAX Enhanced
        •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        •   DSD via HDMI

        Video Features

        Yamaha RX-V4A

        Yamaha RX-V385

        EXCELLENT
        99
        •   HDR10
        •   HDR10+
        •   Dolby Vision
        •   HDMI Version
        •   Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through
        •   VRR
        •   QFT
        •   8K Passthrough
        EXCELLENT
        95
        •   HDR10
        •   No HDR10+
        •   Dolby Vision
        •   No 8K Passthrough

        Connectivity

        Yamaha RX-V4A

        Yamaha RX-V385

        GOOD
        82
        •   eARC
        •   New HDCP Version
        •   Wi-Fi
        •   Bluetooth
        •   Works with Amazon Alexa
        •   Google Assistant
        •   4 HDMI Inputs
        •   1 HDMI Outputs
        •   4 8K Inputs
        •   USB Input
        •   Few RCA Line Inputs
        •   No Phono Input
        •   No RCA Pre-Outs
        •   No Composite Video Inputs
        •   Ethernet
        •   Bluetooth 4․2
        AVERAGE
        69
        •   eARC
        •   New HDCP Version
        •   No Wi-Fi
        •   Bluetooth
        •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        •   4 HDMI Inputs
        •   1 HDMI Outputs
        •   0 8K Input
        •   USB Input
        •   Few RCA Line Inputs
        •   No Phono Input
        •   No RCA Pre-Outs
        •   Composite Video Inputs
        •   No Ethernet
        •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR

        Zones

        Yamaha RX-V4A

        Yamaha RX-V385

        AVERAGE
        55
        •   No Zones
        AVERAGE
        55
        •   No Zones

        Radio

        Yamaha RX-V4A

        Yamaha RX-V385

        EXCELLENT
        97
        •   Analog Tuner
        •   Pandora
        •   Spotify
        •   Tidal
        AVERAGE
        62
        •   Analog Tuner
        •   No Pandora
        •   No Spotify
        •   No Tidal


        For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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